Man accused of abusing two boys

A man arrested Thursday is accused of abusing two young male relatives for several years and coaching them before they were interviewed by Child Protective Services.

Anthony Xavier Ponce, 33, was charged with two counts of injury to a child, one of which was labeled serious bodily injury. He was released from jail Friday after posting bond.

The mother of the children, ages 9 and 12, noticed scratches and a bruise to the youngest boy’s face in February. The boy told his mother that he was injured at school, but officials said they knew of no incident involving the child when she inquired, the affidavit said.

On Feb. 25, a CPS investigator questioned the boys in front of Ponce and their mother. They both denied any abuse, but after the investigator left, the boys told their mother about being abused for years, allegedly by Ponce, the affidavit said.

The children said that Ponce had coached them about what to say to CPS, and that they were afraid to talk to anyone about the abuse out of fear that Ponce would hurt or kill them, the affidavit said.

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the home and interviewed the children that same day.

After the boys were examined at an area hospital, investigators noted that there was substantial evidence of physical abuse.